Mexican TV network criticised for brownface parody of Roma star Yalitza Aparicio

Televisa’s Yeka Rosales posted videos of herself on social media wearing brown skin paint in an apparent parody of the indigenous actress

A television personality for the Mexican-based Televisa network is facing criticism for dressing up in brownface and wearing a prosthetic nose to make fun of indigenous Mexican actress Yalitza Aparicio.

Televisa’s Yeka Rosales posted photos and videos of herself on social media wearing brown skin paint in an apparent parody of Aparicio, who attended the Oscars last week after being nominated for best actress for her role in Roma.

The stunt, designed to promote Televisa’s season premiere of the comedy show La Parodia, highlights the racism some scholars say indigenous people in Latin America still face in the media.

Continue reading...

Roma and the Oscars: why has Hollywood ignored the foreign language film?

If Alfonso Cuarón’s film triumphs it will prompt some troubling questions for the Academy

If, as the bookies predict, Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma triumphs at the Academy Awards, it will open a can of worms. No foreign-language film has ever won. Only two have been nominated for best picture this century (Amour and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). A win for Roma would make history. It would also bring up questions.

Related: Sign up to our Film Today email

Continue reading...